suzannotsusan

Our family of four, including two twenty-somethings, are planning to spend Christmas in the Caribbean. Current affordable airfare is to Turks and Caicos, St. Thomas and St. Martin.

We loved our last family vacation to Grand Cayman: we were fortunate to find affordable on Seven Mile Beach in the private condo section part of town via Airbnb; yet, the busier areas, which the youngsters enjoyed, were not too far away and public transit was decent.

Now, looking at Turks and Caicos, lodging seems crazy expensive on every island. We don't really like all-inclusive resorts, but I am afraid that if we stay on another island (North or Middle), the kids will get bored. Is this accurate or are there things to do on these less populated islands?

St. Thomas I don't know much about...St. Martin might be a better alternative because lodging is less expensive and there are lots of different areas of the island that are fairly readily accessible. However, I have been there before (though a very long time ago) and was hoping for somewhere new.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for your consideration.

suze

"lodging seems crazy expensive "

But was your last trip during Christmas? I ask only because I know hotels and resorts where I stay in Mexico double their room rates the two weeks of Christmas & New Year's.

I didn't find St Thomas all that exciting or beautiful, at least not Charlotte Amalie, but if you ferry over to St John, it's amazing!

suzannotsusan

No, Suze, in fact, we've never traveled over Christmas. I'm not surprised rates are higher, just didn't expect them to be soooo much higher. Thanks for the tip about STT, I'll keep that in mind for next trip.

Incidentally, in the past few hours, I found an airfare to Aruba for less than the other islands and there seem to be many more options for lodging. So if anyone has any insider tips for Aruba, please feel free to pass them along!

schmerl

Aruba has some very nice beaches, but don't expect a lush island. It is a desert island. It is also quite Americanized. Your sons would have fun taking one of the jeep rides around the island. Lots of good restaurants. Not much else to do.
Have you considered Mexico? There are great beaches, ruins to explore, zip lining, cenotes to snorkel, etc.

suzannotsusan

Thank you, schmerl, we did look at Mexico. But airfare was over $400, while to Aruba it was less than $300. Plus, we have actually been to both coasts multiple times.

Noted about Aruba. Appreciate your insight.